Clicky

Canon D20 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot D20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Canon D20
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-4.8) lens
  • 228g - 112 x 71 x 28mm
  • Revealed June 2013
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Overview

Below is a in-depth overview of the Canon D20 versus Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Canon and Sony. The sensor resolution of the D20 (12MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

The D20 was announced 4 years later than the S980 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the D20 matches up vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon D20 over the Sony S980

 D20 S980 
IntroducedJune 2013February 2009More recent by 53 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution461k230kSharper screen (+231k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Canon D20

 S980 D20 

Common features in the Canon D20 and Sony S980

 D20 S980 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Canon D20 has outer dimensions of 112mm x 71mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 228 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Canon D20 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the D20 compared to the S980.

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D20 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the gap between sensor measurements merely by reading through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D20 and S980.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of pictures but you would want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The newer D20 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon D20
Portrait photography with Sony S980
33
manual focus
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
27
manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Canon D20 Street photography information
Sony S980 Street photography information
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Canon D20 Sports photography highlights
Sony S980 Sports photography highlights
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Canon D20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony S980 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment sealing
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Canon D20 Landscape photography info
Sony S980 Landscape photography info
44
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
27
manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon D20
Vlogging with Sony S980
33
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Canon D20 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon D20 and Sony S980
 Canon PowerShot D20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Canon Sony
Model type Canon PowerShot D20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-06-18 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.9-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech PureColor II TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 228g (0.50 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 71 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-6L -
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $299 $300